We’ve heard that phones make you slow, speed turns you into a killer and
Christmas trees
are an accident waiting to happen, but experts have actually managed to find a new driving hazard – weight loss.
As if we don't have enough scare mongering we are now being told that if you lose weight you might have a crash.
Experts at the RAC Foundation believe that unhealthy lifestyles, such as crash diets, lead to fatigue and stress and this is responsible for 20% of motorway crashes.
So once you’ve learnt to regulate a steady 70mph, ditched the mobile, given up smoking and stopped stuffing Christmas trees in your car, what do you do to avoid a diet-related crash?
The RAC Foundation's recipe for its 'fit for the road' campaign includes:
- Incorporating carbohydrates but separating the good, the bad and the ugly. A sugary cereal start to the day will leave drivers feeling drained before they even step through the door at work. A diet rich in low GI, slow energy releasing foods, is much more suitable for providing drivers with the right fuel. Miss out carbohydrates altogether and drivers risk taking their rising anger and tension out on the tarmac with potentially disastrous consequences.
- Coffee can make drivers more alert, but tolerance to the drink differs from person to person. Two cups of coffee may lead to better concentration for some, but an increased edginess in others. Regardless of tolerance, coffee should not be relied upon to keep drivers alert whilst behind the wheel. However, if you are thinking of giving up caffeine in the New Year beware, as withdrawal can lead to fatigue, a deadly effect for drivers.
- Pump up the iron to keep fatigue and lethargy at bay. A bowl of iron rich cereal or sardines on toast will help create the desired alert driving style.
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